During the week Hawthorn chairman John Lord had publicly revealed that Melbourne and Fitzroy were in talks about a merger, but Demon players were more interested on cementing themselves as a finals side.

Despite a series of errors - including two goals gifted to the Pies by Andrew Obst - they were in the running until the last quarter when Collingwood overran them with four goals to nil in the last quarter. In a poor standard game Melbourne had taken a narrow lead into half time, and kicked two goals in the first three minutes after the restart before Collingwood struck back. With Melbourne's forwards well held the Demons didn't kick another goal.

The defeat left Melbourne desperately needing to beat North Melbourne a week later to stay in the hunt for the eight.